After decline, COVID cases trending up in Chesco
WEST CHESTER » After weeks of steadily declining coronavirus cases in Chester County, the rate of infection is back on the rise, according to the Chester County Health Department. Nearby Delaware County is experiencing the same trend.
The news comes as hospitalizations rose by at least 5 percent in 37 states as of Sunday, Oct. 18. The seven-day average for new cases in the nation is up 13 percent from the previous week and statistics indicate a new wave of the virus is underway in the United States.
“Over the past 14 days Pennsylvania has had more than 1,000newcases eachday, which also means the number of people in close contact with some with a positive test result has grown,” Secretary of HealthDr. Rachel Levine said.
In the past four weeks, the coronavirus incidence rate per 100,000 people in Chester County has climbed from 49.2
to 52.1. In Delaware County, it went from40.1 to 76.6 per 100,000.
If the trend continues, officials say it could jeopardize in-school hybrid educa-
tion, which relies on metrics based on community transmission.
As of Oct. 15, the statewide percent-positivity rate increased to 4.3 percent from 3.9 percent the previous week. Overall, Chester County’s positivity rate for the week ending Oct. 15 is 3.2 percent, Delaware Coun
ty’s rate is 4.1 percent, Philadelphia County’s rate is 4.5 percent, Bucks County’s rate is 3.1 percent and Lehigh County’s rate is 2.8 percent.
“Our percent positivity and incidence rate for the Commonwealth both increased again this week in the midst of our fall resurgence of cases in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Tom Wolf said on Monday. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of Pennsylvanians being united in taking actions to protect ourselves and others, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands and avoiding large gatherings. Together, Pennsylvanians can work to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Only 10 counties in Pennsylvania are listed in the low level of transmission: Cameron, Clinton, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Juniata, Pike, Potter, Sullivan and Warren.
Since the pandemic began earlier this year, more than 100,000 people have been tested in Chester County, 7,656 of whom have tested positive, and 374 people have died from the disease. The age bracket of 20 to 29 continues to be the hot spot for those testing positive. Officials say this group
of people are “spreaders,” as they may not even exhibit symptoms but pass the disease on to others.
Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
According to the Chester County Health Department, Pocopson, East Bradford, New Garden, West Chester and East Vincent are hot spots for coronavirus, with numbers trending up steadily — more than 3 percent — in the past week.
In nursing and personal care homes in Pennsylvania, there are 24,663 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,389 cases among employees, for a total of 30,052 at 1,025 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,609 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
In the 75 long-term care facilities in Chester County, 283 deaths from coronavirus have been reported. Of those, just six were those age 60 and younger, and 106 from those 90 to 99.
In Chester County and in Pennsylvania, mask wearing is required when entering a business.